Our Lady Of The Lake History

Our Lady of the Lake is one of 83 parishes and missions in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Our Lady of the Lake was established through the efforts of the Catholics in the Rockwall area and with the assistance of Monsignor Thomas W. Weinzapfel, pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Dallas. Our Lady of the Lake was founded on December 1974 as a mission of St. Pius X Catholic Church. During its mission years, the parish was ministered by Reverends J. Dominic Tamburello (1974), Richard Weaver (1975) and Richard Sokolski.

The first Mass was celebrated on December 8, 1974 in the old Rockwall High School Cafeteria with 120 people in attendance. Mass was celebrated in the cafeteria until the purchase and of the Old Baptist church and adjoining lot at 306 Rusk Street for $52,000.00. The purchase of the facility was made possible by the generosity of Monsignor Weinzapfel and St. Pius X Catholic Church with a contribution of $40,000.00.

The first Mass celebrated at the Rusk Street facility was on February 22, 1976 after completion of the renovation. On December 3, 1978, the mission was elevated to a parish by the Most Reverend Thomas Tschoepe, Bishop of Dallas.

The Rusk Street facility, under the leadership of founding pastor Reverend Albert Cuschieri (1974-1985) served the parish well until it became clear that membership growth would require a new, larger facility. In May 1983 the seven acres where the parish is now located was purchased.

Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend William J. Doran (1985-1992), work began to raise funds for a new church building. On Sunday, January 6, 1991 ground was broken for a partially constructed new facility. In September 1992 under the leadership of Pastoral Administrator, Reverend Richard W. Filice, the move was made to our current facilities which consisted of lower level offices, classrooms and a temporary Sanctuary.

Mass was celebrated in the Parish Hall while fundraising efforts continue under the leadership of pastor Reverend Richard T. Brown (1992-1993). Finally in the fall of 1998, under the leadership of Reverend William A. Richard (1993-2005) the finish out of the upper level: the main sanctuary, chapel, upper classrooms, and offices began. The first Mass in the new completed sanctuary was celebrated on Holy Thursday, April 1, 1999. The sanctuary was formally dedicated on May 9, 1999 by Most Reverend Charles V. Grahmann, D.D.

Reverend Monsignor Robert M. Coerver served as pastor from 2005 until 2010. On July 23, 2010 Reverend George P. Monaghan was assigned as pastor.

The parish continues to seek to minister to every age and group from the smallest infants to our most venerable senior citizens. Our mission is summarized by our Parish motto: